Hardscape Solutions: A Delaware dream

Company: DiSabatino Landscaping
Location: Wilmington, Del.

DiSabatino Landscaping transformed this new build into a dream home by designing a covered outdoor living room, installing the exterior veneer stonework and hardscape surfaces and building one outdoor and two indoor fireplaces. The covered outdoor living space includes a ceiling with exposed beams built by Amish timber framers, a large grill station and serving bar and travertine marble flooring.

Originally, plans called for an asphalt driveway and parking court, but the homeowner opted to use Techo-Bloc granite-style cobblestone pavers. “The homeowner realized an asphalt driveway wasn’t going to do justice to the house,” says David Mull, landscape architect for DiSabatino Landscaping & Tree Service.

FX Luminaire (FXL) low-voltage uplights, linked to the Luxor control system, highlight trees, stonework and details on the house. FXL path lights draw attention to elevation changes and mark the edges of the decorative patio and walk areas. “The homeowner is a real techie and wanted to operate or adjust his lighting system from his cellphone,” Mull says.

This project earned DiSabatino Landscaping a 2019 Silver Award from the National Association of Landscape Professionals’ Awards of Excellence program.

Photo: Gary Knaub

Wet-laid bluestone lines the formal walkway to the house’s front portico. DiSabatino used specialized crews for each element of the project: landscaping, masonry, hardscaping and lighting.

Photo: Gary Knaub

Although the plans called for an asphalt driveway, the client opted for a Techo-Bloc paved driveway edged with granite-style cobblestones.

Photo: Gary Knaub

DiSabatino Landscaping & Tree Service strategically placed different materials around the work zone to maintain maximum efficiency. Portable tents covered and shaded crews during installation in the heat of the summer.

Photo: Gary Knaub

FX Luminaire lights accent the steps leading into the large covered outdoor entertaining space.

Photo: Gary Knaub

Lighting accents the covered outdoor living area.

Photo: Gary Knaub

Trees, shrubs and other landscaping details surround the master bedroom to provide the homeowners with additional privacy.

Photo: Gary Knaub

Adjacent to the covered entertaining space is a fire pit, a koi pond with a cascading waterfall and hot tub.

Photo: Gary Knaub

Perennial plantings surround the koi pond and waterfall.

Photo: Gary Knaub

The master bedroom looks out onto the backyard outdoor living space and pond.

Photo: Gary Knaub

The outdoor area includes a hot tub, pond, fire pit and covered entertaining space.

Photo: Gary Knaub

The outdoor covered living space includes details such as a custom outdoor fireplace made from Delaware blue granite and brick, as well as travertine marble flooring.

Photo: Gary Knaub

Amish timber framers built the covered outdoor space’s exposed-wood ceiling. The space includes a commercial-grade outdoor kitchen.

Photo: Gary Knaub

Small water features add to the relaxing ambiance the client desired.

Photo: Gary Knaub

FX Luminaire lights highlight the masonry and detailing on the exterior of the home.

Photo: Gary Knaub

An overhead look at the landscaping and hardscaping on the property, which included a Techo-Bloc driveway and additional tree plantings to add more privacy between this home and the neighbors.

Photo: Gary Knaub

Crews installed subsurface drainage to improve the property’s drainage and an irrigation system.